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Executive & Professional Education

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Pathways to Leadership: Essentials for Women on Nonprofit Boards

Next Session: TBD

Pathways to Leadership: Essentials for Women+ on Nonprofit Boards is designed to equip aspiring and current nonprofit board members with the skills and competencies needed to take on leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Emphasizing a business-centered approach to the mission-driven work of nonprofits, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities associated with board governance and delve into the financial acumen needed to help organizations fulfill their mission and be a force for good in their communities. Through interactive activities, engaging dialogue, and values assessments, this program will position candidates as standout contributors to their boards, allowing them to broaden their networks, enhance their leadership skills, and leverage their experience to advance their careers. 

Pathways to Power: Mastering Nonprofit Leadership

Gain essential competencies needed to join a nonprofit board 

Learn how to apply a business-centered approach to nonprofit boards 

Leverage your experience with nonprofit boards to expand your professional brand 

How You Will Learn

Day 1

History and Purpose of Non-Profit Boards

  • Gain an awareness of the history and lifecycle of nonprofit boards
  • Explore the unique role women+ leaders have played on boards and the gender barriers that impact their accession  

Roles and Responsibilities of non-profit board members 

  • Understand the legal and financial implications of board membership 

Business Approach to Non-Profit Governance and Board Financials  

  • Learn the importance of financial literacy to board tenure and leverage ways to support the financial health of organizations 
  • Conduct a competitive analysis to develop strategies and think critically about the organizational positioning    

Day 2

Non-Profit Board Needs 

  • Delve deep into the needs of nonprofit boards
  • Using a personal assessment, assessing the values alignment of nonprofit boards with your unique purpose and career trajectory  
  • Explore key considerations you must undertake before accepting a seat 

Non-Profit Board Candidacy - Self-Positioning

  • Assess and develop your personal brand to highlight your skills and value add to any organization 
  • Learn how to build and leverage strategic relationships to support your board candidacy and/or service your role as a board member 
  • Discover networking techniques and tools to expand your personal pitch in any setting 

Pathway to Power

Understanding Nonprofit Boards

Learn the legal responsibilities associated with nonprofit board governance. 

Business Insights for Mission-Driven Work

Discover tools that allow you to utilize strategic and financial planning strategies to enhance your candidacy and contribution on boards. 

Expand Your Networks

Leverage your experience and interest in nonprofit boards to meet and connect with leaders from various industries and backgrounds.  

Who Should Attend

Mid-Level Professional Women+ Leaders

Women with some career experience looking to take the next step by joining nonprofit boards to contribute their skills and insights while expanding their professional influence.

Aspiring Women+ Board Members

Women+ individuals interested in learning how to position themselves for board roles but who may not yet have direct experience on a nonprofit board. 

Women+ Leaders Already Involved in Nonprofits

Women+ serving on nonprofit boards who want to strengthen their governance skills, apply business acumen, and better leverage their board roles for professional growth. 

Women+ in DEI or CSR Roles

Those working in corporate social responsibility (CSR) or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) who are exploring board service as an extension of their commitment to social impact. 

Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Women looking for ways to build influence and network by serving on boards and enhancing their leadership reputation within both the nonprofit and business sectors. 

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares headshot
Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares
Executive Director (CWB)

As Executive Director, Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares leads the CWB's mission-driven work to leverage industry expertise and academia to advance women's leadership in business from the classroom to the boardroom. She partners with the staff and CWB's stakeholder community to develop and deliver programs informed by research and best practices. She serves as a subject matter expert on leadership development for women and gender-variant folks and brings an intersectional feminist lens to the content the CWB produces. Dr. Fong-Olivares works with the program management and facilitation teams to optimize sales, corporate partner engagement, and content delivery. In addition, Yaro works within the Bentley community of students, faculty, administrators, and university centers to maintain and foster collaborative university-wide relationships that achieve Bentley's commitment to community partnerships, its mission, and core values.

A sought-after speaker and facilitator, Dr. Fong-Olivares has extensive experience in organizational development and management, including facilitating racial equity initiatives, diversity, and inclusion, strategy development, leadership coaching, and change management. Yaro leads Bentley Executive Education’s DEI Champions Certificate and supports the development of the new program, Strategies for Emerging Leaders.
 
Dr. Fong-Olivares earned her Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) at William James, holds an M.S. in Organizational Change Management from The New School, a B.A. in Sociology from Barnard College, and Clark Wilson’s 360 feedback Task Cycle Survey Certification. Yaro serves as Past-President of the Executive Committee of the New York Center for the Study of Groups, Organizations and Social Systems, and is a certified consultant and member of the A.K. Rice Institute for the Study of Social Systems.

Nyacko Pearl Perry Headshot
Nyacko Pearl Perry
Interim Senior Manager, Programs & Engagement (CWB)

Nyacko Pearl Perry is an experienced executive coach and organizational development consultant with expertise in equity-based systemization, people development, and financial sustainability. With a passion for facilitating Equity Diversity Inclusion-based practices, She helps small businesses, community organizations, and corporations foster equitable and sustainable systems through coaching for executives, teams, and entrepreneurs.

As a growth strategist, Nyacko is committed to developing innovative frameworks that enhance structural growth while centering employee experiences. Nyacko is skilled in team building, change management, policy change, data-driven decision-making, conflict resolution, and networking.

Nyacko holds a master's in Organization Development from American University and is a Certified Coach. She is the co-founder and Organization Development Partner at Comfort Kitchen. This James Beard Award-nominated café/restaurant celebrates the African diaspora through global comfort foods connecting Asia to the Americas.

Susan G. O’Connell headshot
Sue O’Connell
CFA, Founder, Next Gen Advising, Bentley University Trustee

Sue is an experienced leader in the finance industry with extensive experience in high-level management. Most recently, she served as the president of Wellington Funds Group and a partner of Wellington Management Company, LLP, one of the world’s largest independent investment firms servicing clients in over 60 countries. Having joined the organization in 1994, Sue progressed through numerous high-level roles including in the firm’s mutual fund client services group and hedge fund business teams. Prior to joining Wellington, Sue was a senior consultant with Peterson Consulting. Sue holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bentley University and is a chartered financial analyst. She has served on the board since 2013.       

Eric Gaynor Headshot
Eric Gaynor
Lecturer, Department of Accounting at Bentley University

Professor Eric Gaynor offers many years of professional accounting and non-profit managerial experience. He consults for several state agencies as Manager of Cost Allocation Services for Sivic Solutions Group and was a Project Manager with Maximus specializing in revenue maximization. His work is primarily with health & human service agencies, with an emphasis on child welfare. He is also an instructor for the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers (HSFO). Additionally, Professor Gaynor has public accounting experience in tax and audit with Johnson O'Connor. He served as Executive Director of three Boston area non-profit organizations.

At Bentley University, Professor Gaynor teaches financial, managerial, government and non-profit accounting at the undergraduate and graduate level.  In addition to serving as a faculty member of the Department of Accounting, Prof. Gaynor is a CPA advisor and the faculty advisor to APO (Arts & Performance Organization) and the Ballroom Dance Team.

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Jeffrey Moriarty
Executive Director, Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University

Jeffrey Moriarty is Professor of Philosophy and Executive Director of the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University. Most of his research examines questions of distributive justice in states, organizations, and markets. Other projects concern the moral limits of markets and the proper use of corporate power in a democratic society. Publications to feature Jeff’s work include Business Ethics Quarterly, the Journal of Business Ethics, Economics and Philosophy, Noûs, and Philosophical Studies. sHe has taught business and leadership ethics to undergraduate, graduate, and professional audiences. Other teaching interests include technology ethics, environmental ethics, and the philosophy of sport. Jeff is an Associate Editor at Business Ethics Quarterly and served on the Board of Directors of the Society for Business Ethics from 2015 – 2020. 

Take the Next Steps

Program Details

Program Dates

Two days, in-person sessions.

  • Next Session Dates: TBD

In-person networking during the program

Program Cost - $1,000

Bentley Refund Policy

Bentley University will grant a full refund for cancellations received at least 30 days before the program start date. A 50% refund will be given for those cancellations made prior to fourteen days of the program start date. No refund will be granted for those cancellations received after that time.

Get More Info

We are happy to answer your questions and provide more details about the program.

Contact Bentley University Executive Education at execed@bentley.edu

Supporting Our Community

50% Discount for Alumni, Non-Profits, Veterans, and Job Seekers in Transition. Inquire for more info: execed@bentley.edu.